More than 1,000 US Army Corps of Engineers personnel have been mobilized to assist in the clearance of the critical shipping channel affected by the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge. Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, the commander and chief of engineers, outlined a three-step approach that the team will undertake to address the situation.
In the first step, the focus will be on removing the steel truss from the 700-foot-wide by 50-foot-deep channel and assessing the condition of the concrete components at the bottom. Spellmon emphasized the importance of clearing any concrete or steel debris at the bottom of the channel, as they pose significant hazards. This initial phase aims to restore one-way traffic flow in and out of the Port of Baltimore.
Step two involves collaborating closely with the Coast Guard to secure the containers on top of the ship and then removing the remaining bridge truss from the vessel. This process will enable the safe relocation of the ship to a designated area within the port, ultimately facilitating the reopening of two-way traffic.
The final step entails the extraction of the remaining 2,900 feet of steel and all associated concrete and roadway materials from the river bottom. Spellmon expressed confidence in the team's readiness for the task at hand, stating that they possess the necessary resources and capabilities to execute the operation successfully.
